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Monday Morning Blitz: Broncos 35, Jaguars 19

Jaguars beat writer Ryan O'Halloran has questions and tries to provide some answers after the Jaguars' 35-19 loss to Denver on Sunday:

The Jaguars hung with Denver for more than three quarters Sunday. At one point, was there genuine belief they would pull the upset?

Twice, the Jaguars came within two points — 14-12 at halftime and 21-19 midway through the third quarter. But Denver’s offense came out of the locker room ready to play and went 80 yards to make it 21-12. Then after Maurice Jones-Drew cut the lead back to two, the Broncos went 80 yards. It just seemed that if Denver needed to score 60, it would have found a way.

Chad Henne was 27-of-42 passing for 303 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. But he has to be the starter next Sunday against San Diego, right?

Of course he should be. Sure, Henne missed Clay Harbor on the opening play and had some other Henne-like plays that didn’t help the Jaguars. But the offense showed a pulse because Henne showed big-time toughness in the pocket when he knew he was going to get hit. Gus Bradley wouldn’t commit to starting Henne, but it should be an easy decision.

Bradley showed some moxie in the first quarter, calling for a fake punt in his own territory. Was it the right call even if it had worked?

It was a gutsy call and, as far as fake punt originality goes, it was low on the list because Will Ta’ufo’ou took the direct snap and had nowhere to go. Two rubs about this decision — it was called on a fourth-and-4. Four yards on that kind of play is a long way to go. And second, it came in Jaguars territory.

Before heading to London a week from today, the Jaguars host San Diego. Do they cross the pond with a win?

The Jaguars will beat the Chargers. San Diego plays Indianapolis on Monday night so it will have a short week and a long trip. But the bigger deal is now the Jaguars can see first-hand what they can do on offense — they should be able to move the ball on Derek Cox and Co.